Kidderminster Harriers Supporters Team

The Harriers fans team looked to get back into winning ways following the previous weeks defeat at Stevenage. A much changed Harriers who featured five debutants headed to the Derbyshire countryside to take on a newly formed Matlock side.

The opening exchanges were scrappy to say the least, with the game played on an absolute bog of a pitch which was a fair leveller for the home side. With so many new players the Harriers fans struggled to get any early momentum going, finding it difficult to string more than three or four passes together without giving away cheap possession. The home side were probably the happier of the two at half time, with Matt Sleep in the Harriers goal doing well on numerous occasions to come quickly off his line and clear up any potential danger.

A formation change, and a few stern words at the break saw the Harriers boys come out looking much more organised and began to take control of the game, perhaps the younger legs coming in handy against an ageing, but experienced Matlock side. Harriers had a golden opportunity to take the lead ten minutes after the break when the lively Ash Jarvis was hacked down and the ref had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. After a delay while the young Harriers midfielder received treatment Manager Dave Pountney stepped up but saw his spot kick parried away well by the home goalkeeper.

Despite the second half improvements Harriers fell behind when a ball down the right was played across the six yard box and was coolly swept home from the on rushing striker. In a bold attacking move manager Pountney moved himself from central midfield to a striking role and it didn’t take long for it to take affect. A corner was played into the near post from Darren Connolly, picked up by Ollie Sewell who played it back to the corner taker who swung an inch perfect ball into Pountney who bought the ball down before lifting the ball into the roof of the net to bring the away side level.

With 75 minutes on the clock Harriers took the lead. Another good delivery from the corner, again Connolly, saw Sewell smash home a loose ball into the corner of the net leaving keeper and defenders on the line with no chance. A tense final few minutes followed with Matlock piling bodies forward in search of in equaliser but the Harriers defence held firm with Dave Williams at the heart of an impressive rear guard show.

The Game ended 2-1 to the Harriers, with Williams picking up the man of the match accolade. Special mentions also to Morgan Nock and Darren Connolly who both settled in well on debut. And finally a thank you to the hosts, Matlock, for their part in an entertaining game, and for the food at the ground after.

Team - Dave Williams, Ollie Sewell, Ash Jarvis, Matt Sleep, Nathan Fox, Morgan Nock, Rob Hart, James Wasko, Darren Connolly, Scott Mason, Simon Clarke, Dave Pountney, Alex Owen and Sam Howles.

Scorers - Dave Pountney and Ollie Sewell

Man of The Match - Dave Williams

Match report courtesy of Ollie Sewell